In my talks and workshops I like to emphasize that we are all in recovery from something. 

Most of us are – or should be – in recovery from living in the fast lane.  I would submit that our fast-paced lives are, in fact, a manifestation of our addiction to the rush of our own adrenalin.  

At times, this addiction is carried to a ridiculous extreme.  I vividly recall an incident one evening, while I was living in Southern California, as I was driving home on the Garden Grove Freeway. 

Looking out to the fast lane, several spaces ahead of me, I spotted a driver who was actually brushing his teeth while barreling down the freeway at 70 miles an hour!

As a society, we are overly obsessed with status and material acquisition.  Sadly, this can propel us into a never-ending cycle of frenetic activity, where we lose sight of what life is really all about. 

Obsessive-compulsive types such as yours truly tend to become overly-invested in defining ourselves by what we are doing – and achieving. 

Unfortunately, we end up blocking ourselves from experiencing the joys and rewards associated with the “softer” side of life – where we are able to allow ourselves to just BE, while savoring the gifts associated with living in the present moment.

In our new home in the Northwest, Ann and I host a monthly Buddhist studies group, led by a Monk who comes up from Bainbridge Island. 

One of his favorite questions for reflection is: “Are you a human being – or a human doing?” 

In extolling on the virtues of stepping back and quieting our minds through meditation, he jokingly refers to a bumper sticker that proclaims “Don’t just do something – sit there!”

 Freeing Ourselves from our Addiction to Excessive Activity

 Allow me to share with you a few pointers from my own recovery, in which I am attempting to free myself from my excessive workaholic tendencies. 

As is the case with any recovery program, my effort to counteract my obsessive-compulsive tendencies is a day-by-day, lifelong process.

1. Focus on living in the present moment, which is really all we’ve got – All too often, we get caught up in striving to accomplish more, more and more – losing sight of what living is really all about. 

And guess what, when we are lying on our death beds, reflecting on how we lived our lives, I seriously doubt that many of us will cry out in anguish – “Oh Lord, if only I had spent more time in the office!”

Now that Spring has finally come to our little corner of the world, one of my favorite pastimes is sitting out on our front lawn, watching the birds fly over the nearby lagoon. 

Earlier today, while walking by the lagoon I witnessed a woman who was truly savoring the present moment – as she was practicing Tai Chi while basking in the sun. 

As she was slowly and gracefully going through her movements, a flock of wild ducks ambled over the grass directly in front of her. 

It appeared that they were attracted to the aura of energy surrounding her, as she was serenely engaged in a most beautiful form of moving meditation.

2. Allow yourself to fully experience the healing power of nature – The Native Americans who walked this land before us, and the peoples of numerous other indigenous cultures, were profoundly attuned to the spiritual benefits of living in harmony with nature. 

I am a firm believer in the traditional Native American concept of the Great Spirit – a universal life-force with God-like qualities, which permeates every object in the universe. 

The older I get, the more fully I appreciate observing the many birds and animals I encounter in nature, while attempting to tune into the messages they communicate through their spiritual essence. 

Earlier this week, I passed a group of three doe during the course of my morning walk.  Coming into close contact with the serenity embodied by these beautiful and trusting creatures, I reflected on my own need to allow myself to more fully embrace the gentler side of life.

3. Spend quality time with your loved ones, each and every day – I am a great fan of the “Slow Food Movement”, which originated in Italy a few years back. 

Meals should, indeed, be a time for nourishing ourselves at both the physical and the spiritual levels, through taking the time to commune with our inner selves – and our loved ones – in a truly meaningful way. 

Our evening meal, in particular, should be a time of joyous sharing and celebration of the many blessings in our lives.

The above suggestions are just a few illustrations of ways in which we can focus on enriching our lives – and our recovery – through consciously moving from doing to being.  Until next month – to your health!

* * * * 
John Newport, Ph.D., is author of The Wellness-Recovery Connection: Charting Your Pathway to Optimal Health While Recovering from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.  He is a free-lance writer, consultant and speaker based in Port Townsend, Washington. 

“Dr. John” is available to conduct talks and workshops for treatment programs, and is also available (either in person or by telephone) for low-cost personal counseling on all issues relating to wellness and recovery.  To contact him, visit his website at www.wellnessandrecovery.com or call (360) 385-0229.